The relationship between husband and wife must be viewed in
the context of the Bahá'í ideal of family life. Bahá'u'lláh came to bring unity
to the world, and a fundamental unity is that of the family. Therefore, one
must believe that the Faith is intended to strengthen the family, not weaken
it, and one of the keys to a strengthening of unity is loving consultation. The
atmosphere within a Bahá'í family as within the community as a whole should
express "the keynote of the Cause of God" which, the beloved Guardian
has stated, "is not dictatorial authority, but humble fellowship, not
arbitrary power, but the spirit of frank and loving consultation...."
- The Universal House of Justice (From a message dated 28 December 1980 written on behalf of the Universal House
of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly; The Compilation of Compilations,
vol. I, Preserving Baha’i Marriages)
